Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii takes the beloved franchise on a bold new course, swapping the neon-lit streets of Kamurocho for the open waters of Hawaii. While the game’s pirate theme adds a fun twist, reviews have been all over the map. Some love its humor and character-driven storytelling, while others feel its gameplay lacks depth.

A Wild and Entertaining Pirate Adventure

Critics and players alike agree that Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is packed with charm and humor. The game fully embraces the absurd, letting you recruit pirates, run a petting zoo, and dive into bizarre side quests. The return of Goro Majima as the main character is a highlight—he’s as unpredictable as ever, and his interactions with his crew keep the adventure engaging.

Tristan Ogilvie from IGN called the game “a refreshing sea change that left me feeling perkier than a parrot on a pirate’s shoulder.” He praised its fun storytelling and the mix of brawling and ship combat, especially Majima’s Sea Dog fighting stance, which combines cutlass attacks with a grappling hook. GameSpot also appreciated Majima’s character arc, noting that the amnesia-driven story allows for a different, more vulnerable side of him to come through.

What Falls Short: Repetitive Gameplay and Uneven Storytelling

Despite its entertaining moments, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii struggles with some fundamental gameplay issues. Rock Paper Shotgun criticized the naval combat for feeling underdeveloped, calling it “an overambitious feature that doesn’t quite fit.” While sailing starts off fun, it quickly becomes repetitive, lacking the depth found in other pirate-themed games like Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag.

Another common complaint is the game’s pacing. While the final chapters deliver solid emotional beats, GameSpot felt much of the story “drags until the thrilling finale.” IGN echoed this, saying that while Majima remains entertaining, the overall plot could have explored his character more deeply.

Combat: Flashy but Overpowered

Combat sticks to the series’ classic real-time action, offering two styles—Mad Dog and Sea Dog. Both look great, with smooth animations and high-energy battles. But several reviewers felt the fights were too easy, with Rock Paper Shotgun noting that “Majima’s moves are so strong that they take the challenge out of most encounters.” Boss fights, in particular, felt lacking in depth, making combat more stylish than strategic.

That being said, the fights are undeniably fun. Majima’s hookshot and ranged attacks add variety, and the over-the-top Heat moves keep battles visually exciting. Fans of the older Yakuza combat system will likely enjoy it, even if it doesn’t quite reach the series’ best moments.

Final Verdict: A Fun but Flawed Spin-Off

Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is a unique and entertaining take on the franchise, but it’s not without its faults. It shines in humor, character interactions, and fast-paced combat, but it struggles with repetitive gameplay and a story that takes too long to get going.

IGN gave the game an 8/10, enjoying its creativity and fun factor but pointing out its flaws in pacing and gameplay depth. GameSpot rated it 7/10, calling it a “solid spin-off” but not essential. Rock Paper Shotgun was more critical, saying it felt more like “a glorified minigame” than a fully developed entry.

For die-hard fans of the series, Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii is still worth playing—just don’t expect it to be smooth sailing all the way through.